Ventilating apparatus for automobiles



March 25, 1930. I DUERK 1,751,686;

VENTILATING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Sept; 25, 1925 Fig.5. Yiefi.

1X1 'EXTOR.

' Frederick C. Duerk Patented Mar. 25, 1930 FREDERICK C. DUERK, F DEFIANCE, OHIO VENTILATING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMOBILES Application filed September 25, 1925. Serial No. 58,516

This invention, relating,as indicated, to ventilating apparatus, is more particularly directed to an improved type of ventilator for use on inclosed automobiles. Essentially the invention consists of an air inlet located at the front end of the Vehicle adjacent the radiator and certain apparatus for directing a variable flow of fresh air from such intake to the interior of the vehicle.

An object of the invention is to provide an air screening device in the intake which is adapted to remove from the air passing to the car interior such dirt and dust encountered along the road. The screen is mounted in such manner that it may be easily removed for cleaning, i. e., to free. the dirt clogged in the mesh thereof. The invention also contemplates the provision of an air purifying device, such-as a chemical agent, carried in 2 a suitable portion of the air conduit. This .device is also intended to be removably mounted to permit the changing of the chemical at' desired intervals.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 2 vide a pair of conduits connected at one end to the air intake and at the other end to an adjustable outlet located in the interior of the vehicle, preferably adjacent the instrument board. One of such conduits is connected 80 intermediate its ends to a means for heating the air passing therethrough, and it is found that this may be accomplished by sim ly providing an inclosing casing or chamEer around the exhaust'pipe of the engine.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claim, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism em bodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention maybe used.

In said annexed drawing v Fig. 1. is-a side elevation of skeletoni zed form of an enclosed automobile showing the present improved ventilating apparatus as applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a detail view of the air inlet; Fig. 3 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a viewof the chemical containing chamber; Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the adjustable air outlet; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the single operative mechanism for selectively controlling the flow of heated or cool air to the discharge opening; Fig. 8 is-a view taken on line 88 of Fig. 1; and Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views of a suitable air outlet adapted to be positioned in the top of the vehicle.

The present embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing is especially designed for assembly on an inclosed automobile, such as the sedan or coach type, it being obvious, however, that the same may be modified within the essence of the invention to adapt its installation foruse on other types of vehicles, such as busses and the like.

In Fig. 1 the automobile 10 comprises a body 11 having a top 12, an engine 13 and a radiator 14. Within the interior of the vehicle body are found the usual cowl and instrument boards 15 and 16, respectively. The engine 13 is provided with an exhaust mamfold 17 at one side thereof.

As hereinbefore stated, one of the main objects of the present invention 1s to provide at the forward end of the automobile an air intake, through which fresh air may be d1- rected to the car interior. This lntake is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 at 20, and comprises a rectangular casing 21 formed to fit between the vehicle frame directl beneath the radiator,14. The casing 21 is open at its front side to receive an air cleaning mechanism 22, which may be constructed of several layers of fine mesh screen. These layers of screen are intended to be held in a framework 23, which is removably held in the openin of the easing 21 by snap hooks 24 or the like. In use the screens serve to remove from the air passing into trainers all particles of dust and dirt, andas the screen becomes clogged 1n continuous use it may be removed and freed, 95 as is usual in screening devices of this character. To the rear side of the casing 21 areconnected conduits 25 and 26 which extend rearwardly through the engine compartment and through an opening 27 in the dashboard 15 to a discharge port 28, positioned within the vehicle;

The conduit 25 is led upwardly to a chamber 29 formed by a casing 30 mounted on the engine 13 around the exhaust pipe 17. In the rear end of casing 30 is provided an outlet, to which is. connected an air conduit 31 leading to a connection 32. The connection 32 consists of an ordinary Y-type having its forked portions connected to the conduit 31, as described, and to the end of the conduit 26, while the other end 33 thereof is directed rearwardly to a chamber 34 (to be described hereinafter) from whence the air is conducted through an elbow member 35 to the discharge port 28. In each of the passages or conduits 31 and 26 are mounted valves 36 and 37 connected to a single operating lever 38 by links 39 so as to be operated simultaneously. The lever 38 is projected through the instrument board 16 and is provided with a suitable handle 59 conveniently disposed to the operators position. The valves 36 and 37 are positioned at right angles to each other for the purpose of automatically closing one or the other of conduits 31 and 26 at the time either one of them is in operation, i.e. if it is desired to heat the air leading from the intake 20 the handle 59 is moved to open the valve 36. which operation simultaneously closes the valve 37.

The chamber 34. hereinbefore referred to as interposed between the connection 33 and the air discharge elbow 35, is provided for the purpose of containing a chemical agent adapted to remove from the air passing therethrough various gases of an objectionable character. A pivoted door 41 is provided in the chamber 34 to permit the removal or substitution of the chemical contained therein.

The discharge port 28 is best seen in Figs. 5 and 6 and is provided with openings 42, which are varied by means of a rotatable disk 43 having corresponding openings 44 there in. The elbow member 35 referred to above is swivelly mounted on the top of the chamber 34 and may be operated to direct the flow of air to any portion of the vehicle interior. It is also necessary to provide. in connection with the present ventilating apparatus, means for conveying the air fromthe car interior. which means may consist of an opening 46 provided in the car top 12 and having a rotatable shutter 47 similar in construction to the disk 43. On the exterior of the car top 12 is mounted, above'the opening 46, a suction scoop 48. which serves not only to draw the foul air from the car interior but to aid in the operation of the ventilating apparatus.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention The combination with an inclosed motor vehicle, of a casing mounted at the front end of the vehicle and having an opening 1n its front side, a heating chamber surrounding the vehicle engine exhaust, a pair of conduits connected to such casing, one of said conduits leading to said chamber and the other directly to the vehicle interior, means for conducting heated air from saidchamber to the vehicle interior, and means for S8180? tively controllin the flow of either heated or cool air to such interior.

Signed by me, this 28th day of August, 1925.

FREDERICK C. DUERK. 

